The swallows are flying
Franz Paul Lachner
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
And is giving us flowers for our wreaths.
Soon we will flit
Softly out of the door
And fly to the glorious dance!
A black goat,
A broomstick,
The oven fork, the distaff,
Snap us along swiftly
Like lightning and wind,
Through roaring winds to Brocken.
Around Beelzebub
Our coven dances
And kisses him on his clawed hands.
A bevy of ghosts
Seizes us by the arm
Swinging torches in the dance.
And Beelzebub
Promises the coven
of dancers gifts upon gifts:
They will be beautiful
Walking in silk,
And they will dig up pots full of gold.
A fire-breathing dragon flies
Around the roof
And brings us butter and eggs.
The neighbours see
Sparks blowing
And they cross themselves against the fire.
The swallows are flying,
Spring has prevailed,
And flowers rival each other in blooming.
Soon we will flit
Softly out of the door;
And leave the men in bed!